Catching Mountain Critters

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All throughout the mountain area you'll find critters you can catch. These bugs and frogs can be shipped for profit, given to villagers as gifts, or used to complete message board requests. You'll find a variety of critters all year long during sunny or rainy/snowy weather. Critters will go into hiding during summer and winter storms.

There are three ranks for critters. The higher the rank, the harder it is to catch the insect. Frogs are the only critters that are all the same level of difficulty. The critters will be three different colors as they roam around the mountain area and when you catch them, the cage colors will be green (low), silver (medium), or gold (high). Critters do not have star rank or freshness rating. You can store them in your horse cart and they'll never rot or lose their profit rank.

Critters will change on the hour mark as you run through the mountain. For example, if you catch all of the bugs in an area and then leave, walk back into the area at the top of the hour to find more of them.

There are seven types of critters:

Cicadas

You will find cicadas on tree trunks. To catch these bugs, put your character in WALK mode (press the left-shoulder button on your console), walk up close to the tree, jump towards it (press B), and then press A to catch it before it flies away.

Critter NameSeasonWeatherLocation and TimeProfit
Brown CicadaSummerSunnyBluebell Low: 6am to 6pm20 G
Kaempfer CicadaSummerSunnyBluebell Mid: 6am to 6pm
Konohana Mid: 6am to 6pm
20 G
Spring CicadaSummerSunnyBluebell High: 6am to 6pm40 G
Princess CicadaSummerSunnyKonohana High: 6am to 6pm100 G
Grass CicadaSummerSunnyBluebell High: 6am to 6pm30 G
Opal CicadaSummerSunnyKonohana Mid and High: 6am to 6pm30 G
RainyKonohana Mid: 7am to 6pm
Screeching CicadaSummerSunnyBluebell Mid: 6am to 6pm100 G
Chattering CicadaSummerSunnyBluebell Low: 6am to 6pm250 G
Singing CicadaSummerSunnyBluebell Low: 7am to 6pm40 G
Sitting CicadaSummerSunnyBluebell Mid: 6am to 6pm50 G
SunnyKonohana Mid: 6am to 6pm
Evening CicadaSummerSunnyKonohana High: 6am to 6pm120 G
RainyKonohana High: 6am to 5pm
Bear CicadaSummerSunnyBluebell High: 6am to 6pm400 G
RainyBluebell High: 7am to 6pm

Beetles

You will find beetles on tree trunks on Summer nights. To catch these bugs, put your character in WALK mode (press the left-shoulder button on your console), walk up close to the tree, jump towards it (press B), and then press A to catch it before it flies away. If you are trying to marry Dirk then stock up on these bugs during the season to give as gifts throughout the rest of the year.

Critter NameSeasonWeatherLocation and TimeProfit
Rhinoceros BeetleSummerSunnyBluebell Low: 6pm to 5am
Konohana Mid: 6pm to 5am
40 G
Rainy
Year 2 or later
Konohana Mid: 7pm to 5am
Pincer BeetleSummerSunnyBluebell Mid: 6pm to 5am40 G
Big Pincer BeetleSummerSunnyBluebell High: 6pm to 5am60 G
Atlas BeetleSummerSunnyBluebell Low: 7pm to 5am100 G
Elephant BeetleSummerSunnyBluebell Mid: 6pm to 5am
Konohana High: 6pm to 5am
50 G
Stag BeetleSummerSunnyBluebell Low: 6pm to 5am
Konohana Mid: 6pm to 4am
50 G
Rainy
Year 2 or later
Konohana Mid: 7pm to 5am
Anubis BeetleSummerSunnyBluebell High: 6pm to 5am70 G
Hercules BeetleSummerSunnyBluebell Mid: 6pm to 5am200 G
White BeetleSummerSunnyBluebell High: 6pm to 5am60 G
RainyBluebell High: 6pm to 4am
White Morn BeetleSummerSunny / RainyBluebell Low: 6pm to 5am60 G
White Hill BeetleSummerSunnyKonohana High: 6pm to 5am180 G
White Giant BeetleSummerSunnyKonohana Mid: 6pm to 5am600 G

Dragonflies

These bugs are fast moving and will require you to jump a lot and press the A button over and over until you get lucky enough to catch one. The golden dragonflies are very difficult to catch!

Critter NameSeasonWeatherLocation and TimeProfit
Red DragonflyFallSunnyBluebell Low: 6am to 5pm
Konohana Low: 6am to 6pm
20 G
RainyKonohana Low: 6am to 6pm
WinterSunnyBluebell Mid: 6am to 6pm
Risi DragonflyFallSunnyBluebell Mid: 6am to 6pm
Konohana Mid: 6am to 6pm
20 G
Sunrise DragonflyFallSunnyBluebell High: 6am to 6pm20 G
Amber DragonflyFallSunny / RainyKonohana High: 6am to 6pm40 G
Crimson DragonflyFall
Year 2 or later
SunnyKonohana High: 6am to 6pm100 G
Blue DragonflyFallSunny / RainyKonohana Mid: 6am to 6pm40 G
Common SkimmerFallSunny / RainyBluebell Low: 6am to 5pm40 G
Azure DragonflyFallSunnyBluebell Mid: 6am to 6pm
Konohana High: 6am to 6pm
60 G
Cobalt DragonflyFallSunnyBluebell High: 6am to 6pm
Konohana Low: 6am to 6pm
100 G
RainyBluebell High: 6am to 6pm
Ancient DragonflyFall
Year 2 or later
SunnyBluebell Low: 6am to 5pm800 G
Yellow DamselflyFallSunnyBluebell High: 6am to 6pm
Konohana Mid: 6am to 6pm
60 G
RainyKonohana Mid: 6am to 6pm
Golden DragonflyFallSunnyBluebell Mid: 6am to 6pm
Konohana Low: 6am to 6pm
100 G
RainyBluebell Mid: 6am to 6pm
Pacific DragonflyFallSunnyBluebell Low: 6am to 5pm200 G
WinterSunnyKonohana Mid: 6am to 6pm
Aegis DragonflyFallSunny / RainyKonohana High: 6am to 6pm400 G
Emperor DragonflyFallSunnyKonohana Mid: 6am to 6pm2000 G

Fireflies

Fireflies can only be found on summer evenings. They are stationary and can be caught by pressing A when their light is at their brightest. When the fireflies are dark, you can't catch them.

Critter NameSeasonWeatherLocation and TimeProfit
Japanese FireflySummerSunny / RainyBluebell Low: 6pm to 12am (If rainy, Year 2 or later)
Konohana Mid: 6pm to 12am
20 G
Black FireflySummerSunnyBluebell High: 6pm to 12am20 G
Candle FireflySummerSunnyKonohana High: 6pm to 12am30 G
Lantern FireflySummerSunnyBluebell Low: 6pm to 12am100 G
Pacific FireflySummerSunnyBluebell Mid: 6pm to 5am
Konohana High: 6pm to 12am
30 G
RainyKonohana High: 6pm to 12am
Cabbage FireflySummerSunnyBluebell Low: 6pm to 12am
Konohana Mid: 6pm to 12am
30 G
RainyBluebell Low: 6am to 12am
Yellow FireflySummerSunnyKonohana Low: 6am to 8am
Konohana Low: 6pm to 12am
40 G
RainyKonohana Low: 6pm to 12am
Mustache FireflySummer
Year 2 or later
SunnyKonohana Low: 6pm to 12am300 G
Princess FireflySummerSunny / RainyBluebell High: 6pm to 12am
Konohana Low: 6pm to 12am
40 G
Spotted FireflySummerSunny / RainyBluebell Mid: 6pm to 5am
Konohana Mid: 6pm to 12am
40 G
Summer FireflySummerSunnyKonohana High: 6pm to 12am80 G
Emperor FireflySummer
Year 2 or later
SunnyKonohana High: 6pm to 12am1200 G

Frogs

These critters only appear if it is raining, but not during a summer hurricane. They are slow moving and easy to catch.

Critter NameSeasonWeatherLocation and TimeProfit
Tree FrogSpringRainyBluebell Low: 6am to 5am
Konohana Low: 6am to 5am
20 G
SummerRainyBluebell Mid: 6am to 5am
Konohana Mid: 6am to 5am
White-lipped FrogSpringRainyBluebell Mid: 6am to 5am
Konohana Low: 6am to 5am
Konohana High: 6am to 12am
30 G
SummerRainyKonohana Low: 6am to 5am
FallRainyBluebell Low: 6am to 5am
Red-eyed Tree FrogSpringRainyBluebell Low: 6am to 5am
Konohana Mid: 6am to 5am
30 G
SummerRainyBluebell Low: 6am to 5am
Konohana High: 6am to 5am
FallRainyBluebell Low: 6am to 5am
Konohana Low: 6am to 5am
White's Tree FrogSummerRainyKonohana Low: 6am to 5am20 G
FallRainyKonohana Mid: 6am to 5am
Spotted Pond FrogSummer
Year 2 or later
RainyBluebell Mid: 6am to 12am100 G
FallRainyKonohana Mid: 6am to 12am

Butterflies

These are flying creatures you will have to catch by jumping (press B) and then catch by pressing A. Butterflies will not stay once you notice them. The high-rank blue ones will quickly fly away if you don't catch them fast enough.

Critter NameSeasonWeatherLocation and TimeProfit
Small WhiteSpringSunnyBluebell Low: 6am to 5pm
Konohana Mid: 6am to 5pm
20 G
Scarce Large BlueSpringSunny / RainyBluebell Mid: 6am to 5pm
Konohana Low: 6am to 5pm
20 G
FallSunnyKonohana Mid: 6am to 5pm
Nymph ButterflySpringSunny / RainyBluebell High: 6am to 5pm30 G
SummerSunnyKonohana High: 6am to 5pm
FallSunnyBluebell Mid: 6am to 5pm
White SwallowtailSpringSunnyKonohana High: 6am to 5pm40 G
SummerSunnyBluebell High: 6am to 12am
White MorphoSpring
Year 2 or later
SunnyBluebell Low: 6am to 5pm100 G
SwallowtailSpringSunny / RainyBluebell Mid: 6am to 12am
Konohana Mid: 6am to 5pm
30 G
SummerSunny / RainyKonohana Mid: 6am to 5pm
Pale Cloud YellowSpringSunnyBluebell Low: 6am to 5pm
Konohana High: 6am to 5pm
30 G
RainyKonohana High: 6am to 5pm
FallSunny / RainyBluebell Mid: 6am to 5pm
Comma ButterflySpringSunnyKonohana Low: 6am to 5pm40 G
SummerSunnyBluebell High: 6am to 5pm
FallSunnyKonohana Mid: 6am to 5pm
Ringed ButterflySpringSunnyBluebell High: 6am to 5pm50 G
SummerSunny / RainyKonohana High: 6am to 5pm
Oki ButterflySpring
Year 2 or later
SunnyBluebell Mid: 6am to 5am200 G
Fall
Year 2 or later
SunnyBluebell Mid: 6am to 5pm
Purple EmperorSpringSunnyBluebell High: 6am to 5pm
Konohana Low: 6am to 5pm
40 G
RainyKonohana Low: 6am to 5pm
SummerSunny / RainyKonohana Low: 6am to 5pm
Miyama SwallowtailSpringSunnyBluebell Low: 6am to 5pm
Konohana Mid: 6am to 5pm
50 G
RainyKonohana Mid: 6am to 5pm
Purple Brush-FootSpringSunnyKonohana High: 6am to 5pm60 G
SummerSunny / RainyBluebell High: 6am to 5pm
Velvet Brush-FootSpringSunnyBluebell Mid: 6am to 5pm100 G
SummerSunnyKonohana High: 6am to 5pm
FallSunny / RainyBluebell High: 6am to 5pm
Helena MorphoSpringSunny / RainyKonohana High: 6am to 5pm (If sunny, Year 2 or later)400 G

Hoppers

This group includes grasshoppers, locusts, and crickets. You won't see them on the ground until after you run by where they were hiding. If you keep running and the bug goes off-screen, then typically it will be gone when you turn around to collect it.

Critter NameSeasonWeatherLocation and TimeProfit
Longheaded LocustSpringSunnyBluebell Low: 6am to 5am
Konohana Mid: 6am to 5am
20 G
RainyKonohana Mid: 6am to 5am
SummerSunny / RainyBluebell High: 6am to 5am
FallSunnyKonohana High: 6am to 5am
WinterSunnyBluebell Mid: 6am to 5am
Konohana Low: 6am to 12am
Piggyback LocustSpringSunnyBluebell Mid: 6am to 5pm
Konohana Low: 6am to 5am
20 G
RainyKonohana Low: 6am to 5am
SummerSunnyKonohana High: 6am to 5am
FallSunnyBluebell Low: 6am to 12am
Konohana Mid: 6am to 5am
WinterSunnyKonohana Mid: 6am to 5am
Kobane GrasshopperSpringSunny / RainyBluebell High: 6am to 5am20 G
SummerSunnyBluebell Low: 6am to 12am
Konohana Mid: 6am to 5am
RainyBluebell Low: 6am to 5am
FallSunnyBluebell Mid: 6am to 5am
Konohana Low: 6am to 5am
Kutsuwa KatydidSpringSunny / RainyKonohana High: 6am to 5am40 G
SummerSunnyBluebell Mid: 6am to 5am
Konohana Low: 6am to 5am
FallSunnyBluebell High: 6am to 5am
WinterSunnyBluebell Low: 6am to 5pm
Migratory LocustFall
Year 2 or later
SunnyKonohana High: 6am to 12am100 G
CricketSpringSunnyBluebell Mid: 6am to 5am
Konohana High: 6am to 5am
30 G
SummerSunnyKonohana Low: 6am to 5am
FallSunny / RainyBluebell High: 6am to 5am
WinterSunnyBluebell Low: 6am to 12am
Konohana Mid: 6am to 5am
Spotted LocustSpringSunnyBluebell Low: 6am to 5pm
Konohana Mid: 6am to 5am
30 G
RainyBluebell Low: 6am to 5am
SummerSunny / RainyBluebell High: 6am to 5am
FallSunnyBluebell Mid: 6am to 5am
Konohana Low: 6am to 5am
Konohana High: 6am to 5am
RainyBluebell Mid: 6am to 5am
Konohana High: 6am to 5am
Dirt GrasshopperSpringSunnyKonohana Low: 6am to 5am30 G
SummerSunnyBluebell Mid: 6am to 5am
Konohana High: 6am to 5am
FallSunnyBluebell Low: 6am to 5am
Konohana Mid: 6am to 5am
RainyBluebell Low: 6am to 5am
Hina GrasshopperSpringSunnyBluebell High: 6am to 5am35 G
SummerSunnyBluebell Low: 6am to 12am
Konohana Mid: 6am to 5am
FallSunnyBluebell Mid: 6am to 5am
Konohana Low: 6am to 12am
Emma Field CricketFall
Year 2 or later
SunnyBluebell High: 6am to 12am200 G
Spiked LocustSpringSunny / RainyBluebell High: 6am to 12am
Konohana Low: 6am to 12am
40 G
SummerSunnyBluebell Low: 6am to 12am
RainyBluebell Low: 6am to 5am
FallSunny / RainyKonohana High: 6am to 12am
Eastern LocustSpringSunny / RainyBluebell Low: 6am to 12am40 G
SummerSunnyBluebell High: 6am to 5am
Konohana Low: 6am to 12am
FallSunnyBluebell Mid: 6am to 5am
Konohana Mid: 6am to 12am
RainyKonohana Mid: 6am to 12am
WinterSunnyBluebell Mid: 6am to 5am
Cornered CricketSpringSunny / RainyKonohana High: 6am to 12am60 G
SummerSunnyBluebell Mid: 6am to 12am
Konohana Mid: 6am to 12am
RainyBluebell Mid: 6am to 5am
Konohana Mid: 6am to 12am
FallSunnyBluebell Low: 6am to 5am
RainyBluebell Low: 6am to 5pm
WinterSunnyKonohana Low: 6am to 6pm
Ant Hill CricketFall
Year 2 or later
SunnyBluebell High: 6am to 12am600 G

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